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THE HOUSE 




OF RIMMON 








HENRY VAN DYKE 


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BY THE SAME AUTHOR 



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THE HOUSE OF 
RIMMON 






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THE HOUSE OF 
RIM MON 

A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS 



BY 

HENRY VAN DYKE 



NEW YORK 

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 

1908 



I OCT 2 l^^^ 






9^ 



Copyright, 1908, bt 
HENRY VAN DYKE 

All rights reserved 



Published in October 




THE HOUSE OF 
RIMMON 



DRAMATIS PERSONS 

Benhadad: King of Damascus. 

Rezon: High Priest of the House of Rimmon. 

Saballidin: A Noble of Damascus. 

Hazael -n 

IzDUBHAR > Courtiers of Damascus. 

Rakhaz J 

Shumakim: The King's Fool. 

Elisha: Prophet of Israel. 

NAAMAN: Captain of the Armies of Damascus. 

RUAHMAH:A Captive Maid of Israel. 

TsARPi: Wife to Naaman. 

Khamma 



Attendants of Tsarpi. 

NUBTA 

Soldiers, Servants, Citizens, etc., etc. 

Scene : Damascus and the Mountains of Samaria. 
Time: 850 B. C. 



ACT I 



ACT I 

Scene I 

Night J in the garden of Naaman at Damascus. At the 
leftj on a slightly raised terrace^ the palace, with softly 
gleaming lights and music coming from the open latticed 
windows. The garden is full of oleanders ^ roses ^ pome- 
granates, abundance of crimson flowers; the air is 
heavy with their fragrance: a fotmtain at the right is 
plashing gently: behind it is an arbour covered with 
vines. Near the centre of the garden stands a small, 
hideous image of the god Rimmon. Back of the arbour 
rises the lofty square tower of the House of Rimmon, 
which casts a shadow from the moon across the garden. 
The background is a wide, hilly landscape, with a high 
road passing over the mountains toward the snow-clad 
summits of Mount Hermon in the distance. Enter by 
the palace door, the lady Tsarpi, robed in red and gold, 
and followed by her maids, Khamma and Nubta. She 
remains on the terrace: they go down into the garden, 
looking about, and returning to her. 

Khamma: 

There^s no one here; the garden is asleep. 

Nubta: 

The flowers are nodding, all the birds abed, 

And nothing wakes except the watchful stars! 
5 



6 THE HOUSE OF RIM M ON [Acxl. Sc.l. 

Khamma: 

The stars are sentinels discreet and mute: 

How many things they know and never tell! 

TsARPi: [Impatiently.] 

Unlike the stars, how many things you tell 

And do not know ! When comes your master home ? 

Nubta: 

Lady, his armour-bearer brought us word 

An hour ago, the master will be here 

At moonset, not before. 

TsARPi: 

He haunts the camp 

And leaves me much alone; yet I can pass 

The time of absence not unhappily, 

If I but know the time of his return. 

An hour of moonlight yet! Khamma, my mirror! 

These curls are ill arranged, this veil too low, — 

So, — that is better, careless maids! Withdraw, — 

But warn me if your master should appear. 



AcTi. Sc.i.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 7 

Khamma: 

Mistress, have no concern; for when we hear 

The clatter of his horse along the street, 

We'll run this way and lead your dancers down 

With song and laughter, — you shall know in time. 

[Exeunt Khamma and Nubta, laughing. 
TsARPi descends the steps.] 

TsARPi: 

My guest is late; but he will surely come! 

Hunger and thirst will bring him to my feet. 

The man who bums to drain the cup of love, — 

The priest whose greed of glory never fails, — 

Both, both have need of me, and he will come. 

And I, — what do I need? Why everything 

That helps my beauty to a higher throne; 

All that a priest can promise, all a man 

Can give, and all a god bestow, I need: 

This may a woman win, and this will I. 



8 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc.i. 

[Enter Rezon quietly from the shadow of the 
trees. He stands behind Tsarpi and listens, 
smiling, to her last words. Then he drops 
his mantle of leopard-skin, and lifts his high- 
priesfs rod of bronze, shaped at one end like 
a star, at the other like a thunderbolt.] 

Rezon: 
Tsarpi! 

Tsarpi: 

The mistress of the house of Naaman 

Salutes the keeper of the House of Rimmon. 

{She bows low before him.] 

Rezon: 

Rimmon receives you with his star of peace; 

[He lowers the star-point of the rod, which glows 
for a moment with rosy light above her 
head.] 

And I, his chosen minister, kneel down 

Before your regal beauty, and implore 

The welcome of the woman for the man. 



Act I. Sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 9 

TsARPi: [Giving him her hatid, but holding off his 
embrace.] 

Thus Tsarpi welcomes Rezon! Nay, no more! 

Till I have heard what errand brings you here 

By night, within the garden of the man 

Who hates you most and fears you least in all 

Damascus. 

Rezon: [Rising, and speaking angrily.] 

Trust me, I repay his scorn 
With double hatred, — Naaman, the man 
Whom the King honours and the people love, 
Who stands against the nobles and the priests, 
Against the oracles of Rimmon's House, 
And cries, " We'll fight to keep Damascus free ! " 
This powerful fool, this impious devotee 
Of liberty, who loves the city more 
Than he reveres the city's ancient god: 
This frigid husband who sets you below 



10 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc.i. 

His dream of duty to a horde of slaves: 
This man I hate, and I will humble him. 

TsARPi: 

I think I hate him too. He stands apart 

From me, ev'n while he holds me in his arms, 

By something that I cannot understand, 

Nor supple to my will, nor melt with tears. 

Nor quite dissolve with blandishments, although 

He swears he loves his wife next to his honour! 

Next ? That's too low ! I will be first or nothing. 

Rezon: 

With me you are the first, the absolute! 

When you and I have triumphed you shall reign; 

And you and I will bring this hero down. 

TsARPi: 

But how ? For he is strong. 

Rezon: 

By these, the eyes 

Of Tsarpi; and by this, the rod of Rimmon. 



AcTi. sc.i.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON ii 

TsARPi: 

Speak clearly; tell your plan. 

Rezon: 

You know the host 

Of the Assyrian king has broken forth 
Again to conquer us. Envoys have come 
From Shalmaneser to demand surrender. 
Our king Benhadad wavers, for he knows 
His weakness. All the nobles, all the rich. 
Would purchase peace that they may grow more 

rich: 
Only the people and the soldiers, led 
By Naaman, would fight for liberty. 
Blind fools ! To-day the envoys came to pay 
Their worship to our god, whom they adore 
In Nineveh as Asshur's brother-god. 
They talked with me in secret. Promises, 
Great promises! For every noble house 



12 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc.l. 

That urges peace, a noble recompense: 
The king, submissive, kept in royal state 
And splendour: most of all, honour and wealth 
Shall crown the House of Rimmon, and his priest, — 
Yea, and his priestess. For we two will rise 
Upon the city's fall. The common folk 
Shall suffer; Naaman shall sink with them 
In wreck; but I shall rise, and you shall rise 
Above me ! You shall climb, through incense-smoke, 
And days of pomp, and nights of revelry, 
Glorious rites and ecstasies of love, 
Unto the topmost room in Rimmon's tower, 
The secret, lofty room, the couch of bliss, 
And the divine embraces of the god. 
TsARPi: [Throwing out her arms in exultation.] 
All, all I wish! What must I do for this? 

Rezon: 

Turn Naaman away from thoughts of war; 



Act I. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 13 

Or purchase him with love's delights to yield 
This point, — I care not how, — and afterwards 
The future shall be ours. 

TsARPi: 

And if I fail? 

Rezon: 

I have another shaft. The last appeal, 

Before the king decides, is to the oracle 
Of Rimmon. You shall read the signs! 
A former priestess of his temple, you 
Shall be the interpreter of heaven, and speak 
A word to melt this brazen soldier's heart 
Within his breast. 

TsARPi: 

But if it flame instead ? 

Rezon: 

I know the way to quench that flame. The cup, 

The parting cup your hand shall give to him! 

What if the curse of Rimmon should infect 



14 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc i. 

That wine with sacred venom, secretly 
To work within his veins, week after week 
Corrupting all the currents of his blood, 
Dimming his eyes, wasting his flesh ? What then ? 
Would he prevail in war? Would he come back 
To glory, or to shame ? What think you ? 

TsARPi: 

I? 

I do not think; I only do my part. 

But can the gods bless this ? 

Rezon: 

The gods can bless 

Whatever they decree ; their will makes right; 

And this is for the glory of the house 

Of Rimmon, — and for thee, my queen. Come, 

come! 

The night grows dark: we'll perfect our alliance. 

[Rezon draws her with him, embracing her, 
through the shadows of the garden. Ruahmah, 



Act I. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 



IS 



who has been sleeping in the arbour ^ has been 
awakened during the dialogue, and has been 
dimly visible in her white dress, behind the 
vines. She parts them and comes out, pushing 
back her long, dark hair from her temples.] 

Ruahmah: 

What have I heard? O God, what shame is this 

Plotted beneath Thy pure and silent stars! 
Was it for this that I was brought away- 
Captive from Israel's blessed hills to serve 
A heathen mistress in a land of lies ? 
Ah, treacherous, shameful priest! Ah, shameless 

wife 
Of one too noble to suspect thy guilt! 
The very greatness of his generous heart 
Betrays him to their hands. What can I do ? 
Nothing,— a slave,— hated and mocked by all 
My fellow-slaves! O bitter prison-life! 
I smother in this black, betraying air 



i6 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc.i. 

Of lust and luxury; I faint beneath 
The shadow of this House of Rimmon. God 
Have mercy! Lead me out to Israel. 
To Israel! 

[Music and laughter heard within the palace. 
The doors fly open and a flood of men and 
women, dancers, players, flushed with wine, 
dishevelled, pour down the steps, Khamma and 
NuBTA with them. They crown the image 
with roses and dance around it. Ruahmah is 
discovered crouching beside the arbour. They 
drag her out before the image.] 

Nubta: 

Look! Here's the Hebrew maid, — 

She's homesick; let us comfort her! 

Khamma: [They put their arms around her.] 
Yes, dancing is the cure for homesickness. 

We'll make her dance. 

Ruahmah: [She slips away.] 

I pray you, let me go ! 

I cannot dance, I do not know your measures. 



Act I. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 17 

Khamma: 

Then sing for us, — a song of Israel! 

Ruahmah: 

How can I sing the songs of Israel 

In this strange country ? O my heart would break 

With grief in every note of that dear music. 

A Servant: 

A stubborn and unfriendly maid ! We'll whip her. 

[They circle around her, striking her with rose- 
branches; she sinks to her knees, covering her 
face with her hare arms, which bleed.] 
Nubta: 

Look, look! She kneels to Rimmon, she is tamed. 

Ruahmah: [Springing up and lifting her arms.] 
Nay, not to this dumb idol, but to Him 

Who made Orion and the seven stars! 

All: 

She raves, — she mocks at Rimmon! Punish her! 

The fountain! Wash her blasphemy away! 

[They push her toward the fountain, laughing 
and shouting. In the open door of the palace 



i8 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc i. 

Naaman appears, dressed in Hue and silver, 
bareheaded and unargued. He comes to the 
top of the steps and stands for a moment, 
astonished and angry.] 

Naaman : 

Silence! What drunken rout is this? Begone, 

Ye barking dogs and mewing cats ! Out, all ! 

Poor child, what have they done to thee ? 

[Exeunt all except Ruahmah, who stands with 
her face covered by her hands. Naaman 
comes to her, laying his hand on her shoul- 
der.] 

Ruahmah : [Looking up in his face.] 

Nothing, 

My lord and master! They have harmed me not. 

Naaman: [Touching her arm.] 
Dost call this nothing? 

Ruahmah: 

Since my lord is come. 

Naaman: 

I do not know thy face, — who art thou, child ? 



Act I. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 19 

Ruahmah: 

The handmaid of thy wife. These three years past 

I have attended her. 

Naaman: 

Whence comest thou? 

Thy voice is like thy mistress, but thy looks 

Have something foreign. Tell thy name, thy land. 

Ruahmah: 

Ruahmah is my name, a captive maid. 

The daughter of a prince in Israel, — 

Where once, in olden days, I saw my lord 

Ride through our highlands, when Samaria 

Was allied with Damascus to defeat 

Asshur, our common foe. 

Naaman: 

O glorious days, 

Crowded with life! And thou rememberest them? 

Ruahmah: 

As clear as yesterday! Master, I saw 

Thee riding on a snow-white horse beside 



20 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act i. Sc. i. 

Our king; and all we joyful little maids 
Strewed boughs of palm along the victors' way; 
For you had driven out the enemy, 
Broken; and both our lands were friends and free. 

Naaman: [Sadly.] 

Well, they are past, those noble days! The friends 

That fought for freedom stand apart, rivals 

For Asshur's favour, like two jealous dogs 

That snarl and bite each other, while they wait 

The master's whip, enforcing peace. The days 

When nations would imperil all to keep 

Their liberties, are only memories now. 

The common cause is lost, — and thou art brought, 

The captive of some mercenary raid, 

Some profitable, honourless foray, 

To serve within my house. Dost thou fare well? 

Ruahmah: 

Master, thou seest. 



AcTi. sc.i.l THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 21 

Naaman: 

Yes, I see! My child, 

Why do they hate thee so? 

Ruahmah: 

I do not know, 

Unless because I will not bow to Rimmon. 

Naaman : 

Thou needest not. I fear he is a god 

Who pities not his people, will not save. 

My heart is sick with doubt of him. But thou 

Shalt hold thy faith,— I care not what it is,— 

Worship thy god; but keep thy spirit free. 

Here, take this chain and wear it with my seal, 

None shall molest the maid who carries this. 

Thou hast found favour in thy master's eyes; 

Hast thou no other gift to ask of me? 

Ruahmah: [Earnestly.] 

My lord, I do entreat thee not to go 

To-morrow to the council. Seek the King 



22 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act i. Sc i. 

And speak with him in secret; but avoid 

The audience-hall. 

Naaman : 

Why, what is this? Thy wits 

Are wandering. Why dost thou ask this thing 

Impossible! My honour is engaged 

To speak for war, to lead in war against 

The Assyrian Bull and save Damascus. 

Ruahmah: [With confused earnestness.] 

Then, lord, if thou must go, I pray thee speak, — 

I know not how, — but so that all must hear. 

With magic of unanswerable words 

Persuade thy foes. Yet watch, — beware, — 

Naaman : 

Of what? 

Ruahmah: [Turning aside.] 

I am entangled in my speech, — no light, — 

How shall I tell him? He will not believe. 

O my dear lord, thine enemies are they 



AcTi. sc.i.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 23 

Of thine own house. I pray thee to beware, — 

Beware, — of Rimmon! 

Naaman : 

Child, thy words are wild; 

Thy troubles have bewildered all thy brain. 

Go, now, and fret no more; but sleep, and dream 

Of Israel! For thou shalt see thy home 

Among the hills again. 

Ruahmah: 

Master, good-night. 

And may thy slumber be as sweet and deep 

As if thou camped at snowy Hermon's foot. 

Amid the music of his waterfalls 

And watched by winged sentries of the sky. 

There friendly oak-trees bend their boughs above 

The weary head, pillowed on earth's kind breast. 

And unpolluted breezes lightly breathe 

A song of sleep among the murmuring leaves. 

There the big stars draw nearer, and the sun 



24 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act i. Sc. i. 

Looks forth serene, undimmed by city's mirk 
Or smoke of idol-temples, to behold 
The waking wonder of the wide-spread world, 
And life renews itself with every mom 
In purest joy of living. May the Lord 
Deliver thee, dear master, from the nets 
Laid for thy feet, and lead thee out, along 
The open path, beneath the open sky! 
Thou shalt be followed always by the heart 
Of one poor captive maid who prays for thee. 

[Exit Ruahmah: Naaman stands looking after 
her.] 



Act I. sc. II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 25 

Scene II. 

Time: The following morning. 

The audience-hall in Benhadad's palace. The sides of 
the hall are lined with lofty columns: the hack opens 
toward the city, with descending steps: the House of 
Rimmon with its high tower is seen in the background. 
The throne is at the right in front: opposite is the royal 
door of entrance, guarded by four tall sentinels. Enter 
at the rear between the columns, Rakhaz, Saballidin, 
Hazael, Izdubhar. 

Izdubhar: [An excited old man.] 

The city is all in a turmoil. It boils like a pot of 

lentils. The people are foaming and bubbling 

round and round like beans in the pottage. 

Hazael: [A lean, crafty man.] 
Fear is a hot fire. 

Rakhaz : [A fat, pompous man.] 

Well may they fear, for the Assyrians are not three 

days distant. They are blazing along like a 

waterspout to chop Damascus down like a pitcher 

of spilt milk. 



26 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Scii. 

Saballidin: [Young and frank.] 

Cannot Naaman drive them back ? 

Rakhaz: [Puffing and blowing.] 

Ho! Naaman? Where have you been living? 

Naaman is a broken reed whose claws have 

been cut. Build no hopes on that foundation, 

for it will upset in the midst of the sea and 

leave you hanging in the air. 

Saballidin: 

He clatters like a windmill. What would he say, 

Hazael ? 

Hazael: 

Naaman can do nothing without the command of 

the King; and the King fears to order the army 

to march without the approval of the gods. 

The High Priest is against it. The House of 

Rimmon is for peace with Asshur. 

Rakhaz : 

Yes, and all the nobles are for peace. We are 



Act I. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 27 

the men whose wisdom lights the rudder that 
upholds the chariot of state. Would we be 
rich if we were not wise? Do we not know 
better than the rabble what medicine will silence 
this fire that threatens to drown us? 

Izdubhar: 

But if the Assyrians come, we shall all perish; they 

will despoil us all. 

Hazael: 

Not us, my lord, only the common people. The 

envoys have offered favourable terms to the priests, 

and the nobles, and the King. No palace, no 

temple, shall be plundered. Only the shops, and 

the markets, and the houses of the multitude shall 

be given up to the Bull. He will eat his supper 

from the pot of lentils, not from our golden plate. 

Rakhaz: 

Yes, and all who speak for peace in the council shall 

be enriched; our heads shall be crowned with 



28 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act i. Sc ii. 

seats of honour in the processions of the As- 
syrian king. He needs wise counsellors to help 
him guide the ship of empire onto the solid rock 
of prosperity. You must be with us, my lords 
Izdubhar and Saballidin, and let the stars of 
your wisdom roar loudly for peace. 

Izdubhar: 

He talks like a tablet read upside down, — a wild 

ass braying in the wilderness. Yet there is 

policy in his words. 

Saballidin: 

I know not. Can a kingdom live without a people 

or an' army? If we let the Bull in to sup on 

the lentils, will he not make his breakfast in our 

vineyards ? 

[Enter other courtiers following Shumakim, a 
crooked little jester, in blue, green and red, a 
wreath of poppies around his neck and a 
flagon in his hand. He walks unsteadily^ 
and stutters in his speech.] 



Act I. sc. II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 29 

Hazael: 

Here is Shumakim, the King's fool, with his legs 

full of last night's wine. 

Shumakim: [Balancing himself in front of them and 
chuckling.] 
Wrong, my lords, very wrong! This is not last 

night's wine, but a draught the King's physician 

gave me this morning for a cure. It sobers me 

amazingly! I know you all, my lords: any fool 

would know you. You, master, are a statesman; 

and you are a politician ; and you are a patriot. 

Rakhaz : 

Am I a statesman? I felt something of the kind 

about me. But what is a statesman? 

Shumakim : 

A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man 

in a mask; one that plays a solemn tune on a 

sackbut full o' wind. 

Hazael: 

And what is a politician ? 



30 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc.ii. 

Shumakim : 

A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked 

his sackbut. Men trust him for what he is, and 

he never deceives them, because he always lies. 

Izdubhar: 

Why do you call me a patriot ? 

Shumakim : 

Because you know what is good for you; you love 

your country as you love your pelf. You feel for 

the common people, — as the wolf feels for the 

sheep. 

Saballidin : 

And what am I? 

Shumakim: 

A fool, master, just a plain fool; and there is hope 

of thee for that reason. Embrace me, brother, 
and taste this; but not too much, — it will intoxi- 
cate thee with sobriety. 

[The hall has been slowly filling with courtiers 
and soldiers: a crowd of people begin to come 



ACT I. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 31 

up the steps at the rear, where they are halted 
by a chain guarded by servants of the palace. 
A bell tolls; the royal door is thrown open; 
the aged King crosses the hall slowly and takes 
his seat on the throne with the four tall senti- 
nels standing behind him. All bow down 
shading their eyes with their hands.] 

Benhadad: 

The hour of royal audience is come. 

I'll hear the envoys of my brother king, 

The son of Asshur. Are my counsellors 

At hand? Where are the priests of Rimmon's 

House ? 

[Gongs sound. Rezon comes in from the rear, 
followed by a procession of priests in black and 
yellow. The courtiers bow; the King rises; 
Rezon takes his stand on the steps of the throne 
at the left of the King.] 

Benhadad : 

Where is my faithful servant Naaman, 

The captain of my host? 



32 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act i. sc ii. 

[Trumpets sound from the city. The crowd on 
the steps divide; the chain is lowered; Naaman 
enters, followed by six soldiers. He is dressed 
in chain-mail, with a silver helmet and a cloak 
of blue. He uncovers, and kneels on the steps 
of the throne at the King^s right.] 

Naaman: 

My lord the King, 

The bearer of thy sword is here. 

Benhadad: [Giving Naaman his hand, and sitting 
down.] 

Welcome, 

My strong right arm that never failed me yet! 

I am in doubt, — but stay thou close to me 

While I decide this cause. Where are the envoys? 

Let them appear and give their message. 

[Enter the Assyrian envoys; one in white and 
the other in red; both with the golden Bull's 
head embroidered on their robes. They come 
from the right, rear, bow slightly before the 
throne, and take the centre of the hall.] 



Act I. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 33 

White Envoy: [Stepping forward.] 

Greeting from Shalmaneser, Asshur's son, 

The king who reigns at Nineveh 

And takes his tribute from a thousand cities, 

Unto Benhadad, monarch in Damascus! 

The conquering Bull has come out of the north ; 

The south has fallen before him, and the west 

His feet have trodden; Hamath is laid waste; 

He pauses at your gate, invincible, — 

To offer peace. The princes of your court, 

The priests of Rimmon's house, and you, the King, 

If you pay homage to your overlord. 

Shall rest secure, and flourish as our friends. 

Assyria sends to you this gilded yoke; 

Receive it as the sign of proffered peace. 

[He lays a yoke on the steps of the throne.] 

Benhadad: 

What of the city ? Said your king no word 

Of our Damascus, and the many folk 



34 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. sc.ii. 

That do inhabit her and make her great? 

What of the soldiers who have fought for us ? 

The people who have sheltered 'neath our shield? 

White Envoy: 

Of these my royal master did not speak. 

Benhadad : 

Strange silence ! Must we give them up to him ? 

Is this the price at which he offers us 

The yoke of peace ? What if we do refuse ? 

Red Enyoy: [Stepping forward.] 

Then ruthless war! War to the uttermost. 

No quarter, no compassion, no escape ! 

The Bull will gore and trample in his fury 

Nobles and priests and king, — none shall be spared! 

Before the throne we lay our second gift; 

This bloody horn, the symbol of red war. 

[He lays a long hulVs horn, stained with blood 
on the steps of the throne.] 

White Envoy: 

Our message is delivered. Grant us leave 



ACT I. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 35 

And safe conveyance, that we may return 
Unto our master. He will wait three days 
To know your royal choice between his gifts. 
Keep which you will and send the other back; 
The red bull's horn your youngest page may bring; 
But with the yoke, best send your mightiest army! 

[The Envoys retire, amid confused murmurs of 
the people, the King silent, his head sunken on 
his breast.] 
Benhadad: 

Proud words, a bitter message, hard to endure! 

We are not now that force which feared no foe: 

Our host is weakened, and our old allies 

Have left us. Can we face this raging Bull 

Alone, and beat him back ? Give me your counsel. 

[Many speak at once, confusedly.] 

What babblement is this? Were ye bom at Babel? 

Give me clear words and reasonable speech. 

Rakhaz: [Pompously.] 

O King, I am a reasonable man; 



36 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act i. Sc. ii. 

And there be some who call me very wise 
And prudent; but of this I will not speak, 
For I am also modest. Let me plead, 
Persuade, and reason you to choose for peace. 
This golden yoke may be a bitter draught. 
But better far to fold it in our arms, 
Than risk our cargoes in the savage horn 
Of war. Shall we imperil all our wealth, 
Our valuable lives ? Nobles are few. 
Rich men are rare, and wise men rarer still; 
The precious jewels on the tree of life, 
Wherein the common people are but bricks 
And clay and rubble. Let the city go, 
But save the comer-stones that float the ship! 
Have I not spoken well ? 

Benhadad: [Shaking his head.] 

Excellent well! 

Most eloquent! But misty in the meaning. 



ACT I. Sc. II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 37 

Hazael: [With cold decision.] 

Then let me speak, O King, in plainer words! 

The days of independent states are past: 

The tide of empire sweeps across the earth; 

Assyria rides it with resisdess power 

And thunders on to subjugate the world. 

Oppose her, and we fight with Destiny; 

Submit to her demands, and we shall ride 

With her to victory. Therefore return 

This bloody horn, the symbol of wild war, 

With words of soft refusal, and accept 

The golden yoke, Assyria's gift of peace. 

Naaman: [Starting forward eagerly.] 

There is no peace beneath a conqueror's yoke, 

My King, but shame and heaviness of heart! 

For every state that barters liberty 

To win imperial favour, shall be drained 

Of her best bloody henceforth, in endless wars 



38 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act i. Sc. ii. 

To make the empire greater. Here's the choice* 

We fight to-day to keep our country free, 

Or else we fight forevermore to help 

Assyria bind the world as we are bound. 

I am a soldier, and I know the hell 

Of war! But I will gladly ride through hell 

To save Damascus. Master, bid me ride! 

Ten thousand chariots wait for your command; 

And twenty thousand horsemen strain the leash 

Of patience till you let them go; a throng 

Of spearmen, archers, swordsmen, like the sea 

Chafing against a dike, roar for the onset ! 

O master, let me launch your mighty host 

Against the Bull, — we'll bring him to his knees! 

[Cries of ^^Warl" from the soldiers and the 
people; ^^ peace! ^^ from the courtiers and the 
priests. The King rises, turning toward 
Naaman, and seems about to speak. Rezon 
lifts his rod.] 



Act I. sc. IL] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 39 

Rezon: 

Shall not the gods decide when mortals doubt? 

Rimmon is master of the city's fate; 

He reigns in secret and his will is law; 

We read his will, by our most ancient faith, 

In omens and in signs of mystery. 

Must we not hearken to his high commands ? 

Benhadad: [Sinking hack on the throne, submissively.] 
I am the faithful son of Rimmon's House. 

Consult the oracle. But who shall read? 

Rezon: 

Tsarpi, the wife of Naaman, who served 

Within the temple in her maiden years, 

Shall be the mouthpiece of the mighty god, 

To-day's high-priestess. Bring the sacrifice! 

[Gongs and cymbals sound: enter priests carrying 
an altar on which a lamb is bound. The altar 
is placed in the centre of the hall. Tsarpi 
follows the priests, covered with a long trans- 
parent veil of black, seivn with gold stars; 



40 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc.n. 

RuAHMAH, in white, hears her train. Tsarpi 
stands before the altar, facing it, and lifts her 
right hand holding a knife. Ruahmah steps 
hack, near the throne, her hands crossed on her 
breast, her head bowed. The priests close in 
around Tsarpi and the altar. The knife is 
seen to strike downward. Gongs and cymbals 
sound: cries of " Rimmon, hear usl^^ The 
circle of priests opens, and Tsarpi turns slow- 
ly to face the King.] 

Tsarpi: [Monotonously.] 

Black is the blood of the victim, 

Rimmon is unfavourable, 

Asratu is unfavourable ; 

They will not war against Asshur, 

They will make a league with the God of Nineveh. 

Evil is in store for Damascus, 

A strong enemy will lay waste the land. 

Therefore make peace with the Bull; 

Hearken to the voice of Rimmon. 



Act I. Sc. II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 41 

[She turns again to the altar, and the priests 
close in around her. Rezon lifts his rod 
toward the tower of the temple. A flash of 
lightning followed by thunder; smoke rises 
from the altar; all except Naaman and Ruah- 
MAH cover their faces. The circle of priests 
opens agaiUy and Tsarpi comes forward slowly, 
chanting.] 

Chant: 

Hear the words of Rimmon! Thus your Maker 

speaketh: 

I, the god of thunder, riding on the whirlwind, 

I, the god of lightning leaping from the storm-cloud, 

I will smite with vengeance him who dares defy me/ 

He who leads Damascus into war with Asshur, 

Conquering or conquered, bears my curse upon him. 

Surely shall my arrow strike his heart in secret. 

Burn his flesh with fever, turn his blood to poison, 

Brand him with corruption, drive him into darkness; 

He alone shall perish, by the doom of Rimmon. 



42 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc.n. 

[All are terrified and look toivard Naaman, 
shuddering. Ruahmah alone seems not to 
heed the curse, hut stands with her eyes fixed 

on Naaman.] 

Ruahmah: 

Be not afraid! There is a greater God 

Shall cover thee with His almighty wings: 

Beneath his shield and buckler shalt thou trust. 

Benhadad: 

Repent, my son, thou must not brave this curse. 

Naaman: 

My King, there is no curse as terrible 

As that which lights a bosom-fire for him 

Who gives away his honour, to prolong 

A craven life whose every breath is shame! 

If I betray the men who follow me, 

The city that has put her trust in me. 

The country to whose service I am bound, 

What king can shield me from my own deep scorn. 

What god release me from that self-made hell ? 



ACT I. sc. II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 43 

The tender mercies of Assyria 

I know; and they are cruel as creeping tigers. 

Give up Damascus, and her streets will run 

Rivers of innocent blood; the city's heart, 

That mighty, labouring heart, wounded and crushed 

Beneath the brutal hooves of the wild Bull, 

Will cry against her captain, sitting safe 

Among the nobles, in some pleasant place. 

I shall be safe, — safe from the threatened wrath 

Of unknown gods, but damned forever by 

The men I know, — that is the curse I fear. 

Benhadad : 

Speak not so high, my son. Must we not bow 

Our heads before the sovereignties of heaven ? 

The unseen rulers are Divine. 

Naaman : 

O King, 

I am unlearned in the lore of priests; 

Yet well I know that there are hidden powers 



44 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActI. Sc.n. 

About us, working mortal weal and woe 

Beyond the force of mortal to control. 

And if these powers appear in love and truth, 

I think they must be gods, and worship them. 

But if their secret will is manifest 

In blind decrees of sheer omnipotence, 

That punish where no fault is found, and smite 

The poor with undeserved calamity, 

And pierce the undefended in the dark 

With arrows of injustice, and foredoom 

The innocent to burn in endless pain, 

I will not call this fierce almightiness 

Divine. Though I must bear, with every man, 

The burden of my life ordained, I'll keep 

My soul unterrified, and tread the path 

Of truth and honour with a steady heart! 

But if I err in this; and if there be 

Divinities whose will is cruel, unjust. 



Act I. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 45 

Capricious and supreme, I will forswear 

The favour of these gods, and take my part 

With man to suffer and for man to die. 

Have ye not heard, my lords ? The oracle 

Proclaims to me, to me alone, the doom 

Of vengeance if I lead the army out. 

"Conquered or conquering!" I grip that chance! 

Damascus free, her foes all beaten back, 

The people saved from slavery, the King 

Upheld in honour on his ancient throne, — 

O what's the cost of this? I'll gladly pay 

Whatever gods there be, whatever price 

They ask for this one victory. Give me 

This gilded sign of shame to carry back; 

I'll shake it in the face of Asshur's king, 

And break it on his teeth. 

Benhadad: [Rising.] 

Then go, my never-beaten captain, go! 



46 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act i. Sc. il. 

And may the powers that hear thy solemn vow 

Forgive thy rashness for Damascus' sake, 

Prosper thy fighting, and remit thy pledge. 

Rezon: [Standing beside the altar.] 

The pledge, O King, this man must seal his pledge 

At Rimmon's altar. He must take the cup 

Of soldier-sacrament, and bind himself 

By thrice-performed libation to abide 

The fate he has invoked. 

Naaman: [Slowly.] 

And so I will. 

[He comes down the steps, toward tJie altar, where 
Rezon is filling the cup which Tsarpi holds. 
RuAHMAH throws herself before Naaman, 
clasping his knees.] 

Ruahmah: [Passionately and wildly.] 

My lord, I do beseech you, stay! There's death 

Within that cup. It is an offering 

To de\dls. See, the wine blazes like fire, 

It flows like blood, it is a cursed cup, 



Act I. sc. II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 47 

Fulfilled of treachery and hate. 

Dear master, noble master, touch it not! 

Naaman: 

Poor maid, thy brain is still distraught. Fear not 

But let me go! Here, treat her tenderly! 

[Gives her into the hands of Saballidin.] 
Can harm befall me from the wife who bears 
My name ? I take the cup of fate from her. 
I greet the unknown powers; [Pours libation.] 
I will perform my vow; [Again.] 
I will abide my fate; [Again.] 
I pledge my life to keep Damascus free. 

[He drains the cup, and lets it fall.] 

CURTAIN, 



ACT II 



ACT II 

Time: A week later 

The fore-court of the House of Rimmon. At the hack the 
broad steps and double doors of the shrine: above them 
the tower of the god, its summit invisible. Enter various 
groups of citizens, talking, laughing, shouting: Rakhaz, 
Hazael, Shumakim and others. 

First Citizen: 

Great news, glorious news, the Assyrians are beaten ! 

Second Citizen: 

Naaman is returning, crowned with victory. Glory 

to our noble captain! 

Third Citizen: 

No, he is killed. I had it from one of the camp- 
followers who saw him fall at the head of the bat- 
tle. They are bringing his body to bury it with 
honour. O sorrowful victory! 

Rakhaz: 

Peace, my good fellows, you are ignorant, you have 

not been rightly informed, I will misinform you. 
51 



52 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActII. 

The accounts of Naaman's death are overdrawn. 

He was killed, but his Ufe has been preserved. 

One of his wounds was mortal, but the other 

three were curable, and by these the physicians 

have saved him. 

Shumakim: [Balancing himself before Rakhaz in pre- 
tended admiration.] 
O wonderful! Most admirable logic! One mortal, 

and three curable, therefore he must recover as 

it were, by three to one. Rakhaz, do you know 

that you are a marvelous man ? 

Rakhaz : 

Yes, I know it, but I make no boast of my knowl- 
edge. 

Shumakim : 

Too modest, for in knowing this you know what is 

unknown to any other in Damascus! 

[Enter, from the right, Saballidin in armour: 
from the left, Tsarpi with her attendants, 
among whom is Ruahmah.] 



Act II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 53 

Hazael: 

Here is Saballidin, we'll question him; 

He was enflamed by Naaman's fiery words, 

And rode with him to battle. Good, my lord, 

We hail you as a herald of the fight 

You helped to win. Give us authentic news 

Of your great general! Is he safe and well ? 

When will he come ? Or will he come at all ? 

[All gather around him, listening eagerly.] 

Saballidin : 

He comes but now, returning from the field 

Where he hath gained a crown of deathless fame! 

Three times he led the charge; three times he fell 

Wounded, and the Assyrians beat us back. 

Yet every wound was but a spur to urge 

His valour onward. In the last attack 

He rode before us as the crested wave 

That heads the flood; and lo, our enemies 

Were broken like a dam of river-reeds, 



54 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act II. 

Burst by the torrent, scattered, swept away! 
But look ! the Assyrian king in wavering flight 
Is lodged like driftwood on a little hill, 
Encircled by his guard, and stands at bay. 
Then Naaman, followed hotly by a score 
Of whirlwind riders, hammers through the hedge 
Of spearmen, brandishing the golden yoke: 
"Take back this gift," he cries; and shatters it 
On Shalmaneser's helmet. So the fight 
Dissolves in universal rout: the king, 
His chariots and his horsemen melt away: 
Our captain stands the master of the field. 
And saviour of Damascus! Now he brings, 
First to the king, report of this great triumph. 
[Shouts of joy and applause.] 

Ruahmah: [Coining close to Sab ALLiBm.] 

But what of him who won it? Fares he well? 

My mistress would receive some word of him. 



Act II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 55 

Saballidin : 

Hath she not heard? 

RUAHMAH : 

But one brief message came: 

A tablet saying, " We have fought and conquered," 

No word of his own person. Fares he well ? 

Saballidin : 

Alas, most ill ! For he is like a man 

Consumed by some strange sickness: wasted, wan, — 

His eyes are dimmed so that scarce can see; 

His ears are dulled; his fearless face is pale 

As one who walks to meet a certain doom 

Yet will not flinch. It is most pitiful, — 

But you shall see. 

Ruahmah: 

Yea, we shall see a man 

Who took upon himself his country's burden, dared 

To hazard all to save the poor and helpless; 

A man who bears the wrath of evil powers 

Unknown, and pays the hero's sacrifice. 



56 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActII. 

[Enter Benhadad with courtiers.] 

Benhadad : 

Where is my faithful servant Naaman, 

The captain of my host? 

Saballidin : 

My lord, he comes. 

[Trumpet sounds. Enter company of soldiers in 
armour. Then four soldiers hearing captured 
standards of Asshur. IS^aaman follows, very 
pale, armour dinted and stained; he is blind, 
and guides himself by cords from the statidards 
on each side, hut walks firmly. The doors of 
the temple open slightly, and Rezon appears 
at the top of the steps. Naaman lets the cords 
fall, and gropes his way for a few paces.] 

Naaman : [Kneeling.] 

Where is my King? 

Master, the bearer of thy sword returns. 

The golden yoke thou gavest me I broke 

On him who sent it. Asshur's Bull hath fled 

Dehorned. The standards of his host are thine! 

Damascus is all thine, at peace, and free! 



Act II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 57 

Benhadad: [Holding out his arms.] 

Thou art a mighty man of valour! Come, 

And let me fold thy courage to my heart. 

Rezon: [Lifting his rod.] 

Forbear, O King! Stand back from him, all men! 

By the great name of Rimmon I proclaim 

This man a leper! On his brow I see 

The death-white seal, the finger-print of doom! 

That tiny spot will spread, eating his flesh, 

Gnawing his fingers bone from bone, until 

The impious heart that dared defy the gods 

Dissolves in the slow death which now begins. 

Unclean! unclean! Henceforward he is dead: 

No human hand shall touch him, and no home 

Of men shall give him shelter. He shall walk 

Only with corpses of the selfsame death 

Down the long path to a forgotten tomb. 

Avoid, depart, I do adjure you all. 

Leave him to god, — the leper Naaman! 



58 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActII. 

[All shrink hack horrified. Rezon retires into 
the temple; the crowd melts away, wailing: 
TsARPi is among the first to go, followed by her 
attendants, except Ruahmah, who crouches, 
with her face covered, not far from Naaman.] 

Benhadad : [Lingering and turning back.] 
Alas, my son! O Naaman, my son! 

Why did I let thee go ? Thou art cast out 

Irrevocably from the city's life 

Which thou hast saved. Who can resist the gods ? 

I must obey the law, and touch thy hand 

Never again. Yet none shall take from thee 

Thy glorious title, captain of my host! 

I will provide for thee, and thou shalt dwell 

With guards of honour in a house of mine 

Always. Damascus never shall forget 

What thou hast done! O miserable words 

Of crowned impotence! O mockery of power 

Given to kings, who cannot even defend 



Act II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 59 

Their dearest from the secret wrath of heaven! 
Naaman, my son, my son! [Exit.] 

Naaman: [Slowly, passing his hand over his eyes, and 
looking up.] 

Am I alone 

With thee, inexorable one, whose pride 

Offended takes this horrible revenge? 

I must submit my mortal flesh to thee, 

Almighty, but I will not call thee god! 

Yet thou hast found the way to wound my soul 

Most deeply through the flesh; and I must find 

The way to let my wounded soul escape ! 

[Drawing his sword.] 

Come, my last friend, thou art more merciful 

Than Rimmon. Why should I endure the doom 

He sends me ? Irretrievably cut off 

From all dear intercourse of human love, 

From all the tender touch of human hands, 



6o THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act n. 

From all brave comradeship with brother-men, 

With eyes that see no faces through this dark, 

With ears that hear all voices far away, 

Why should I cling to misery, and grope 

My long, long way from pain to pain, alone ? 

Ruahmah: [At his feet.] 

Nay, not alone, dear lord, for I am here; 

And I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee ! 

Naaman: 

What voice is that? The silence of my tomb 

Is broken by a ray of music, — whose ? 

Ruahmah: [Rising.] 

The one who loves thee best in all the world. 

Naaman: 

Why that should be, — O dare I dream it true? 

Tsarpi, my wife? Have I misjudged thy heart 

As cold and proud? How nobly thou forgivest! 

Thou com'st to hold me from the last disgrace, — 

The coward's flight into the dark. Go back 



Act II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 6i 

Unstained, my sword! Life is endurable 

While there is one alive on earth who loves us. 

Ruahmah: 

My lord, — my lord, — O listen! You have erred, — 

You do mistake me now, — this dream — 

Naaman: 

Ah, wake me not! For I can conquer death 

Dreaming this dream. Let me at last believe, 

Though gods are cruel, a woman can be kind. 

Grant me but this! For see, — I ask so little, — 

Only to know that thou art faithful, — 

Only to lean upon the thought that thou, 

My wife, art near me, though I touch thee not, — 

O this will hold me up, though it be given 

From pity more than love. 

Ruahmah: [Trembling, and speaking slowly.] 
Not so, my lord I 

My pity is a stream ; my pride of thee 
Is like the sea that doth engulf the stream; 



62 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActH. 

My love for thee is like the sovran moon 

That rules the sea. The tides that fill my soul 

Flow unto thee and follow after thee; 

And where thou goest I will go; and where 

Thou diest I will die, — in the same hour. 

[She lays her hand on his arm. He draws 
hack.] 

Naaman: 

O touch me not! Thou shalt not share my doom. 

Ruahmah: 

Entreat me not to go. I will obey 

In all but this; but rob me not of this, — 

The only boon that makes life worth the living, — 

To walk beside thee day by day, and keep 

Thy foot from stumbling; to prepare thy food 

When thou art hungry, music for thy rest, 

And cheerful words to comfort thy black hour; 

And so to lead thee ever on, and on. 

Through darkness, till we find the door of hope. 



Act II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 63 

Naaman: 

What word is that ? The leper has no hope. 

Ruahmah: 

Dear lord, the mark upon thy brow is yet 

No broader than my Httle finger-nail. 

Thy force is not abated, and thy step 

Is firm. Wilt thou surrender to the enemy 

Before thy strength is touched ? Why, let me put 

A drop of courage from my breast in thine. 

There is a hope for thee. The captive maid 

Of Israel who dwelt within thy house 

Knew of a god very compassionate. 

Long-suffering, slow to anger, one who heals 

The sick, hath pity on the fatherless, 

And saves the poor and him who has no helper. 

His prophet dwells nigh to Samaria; 

And I have heard that he hath brought the dead 

To life again. We'll go to him. The King, 



64 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act ii. 

If I beseech him, will appoint a guard 

Of thine own soldiers and Saballidin, 

Thy friend, to convoy us upon our journey. 

He'll give us royal letters to the king 

Of Israel to make our welcome sure; 

And we will take the open road, beneath 

The open sky, to-morrow, and go on 

Together till we find the door of hope. 

Come, come with me! 

[She grasps his hand.] 

Naaman: [Drawing hack.] 
Thou must not touch me! 

Ruahmah: [Unclasping her girdle and putting the end in 
hand.] 

Take my girdle, then! 

Naaman: [Kissing the clasp of the girdle.] 
I do begin to think there is a God, 

Since love on earth can work such miracles! 
CURTAIN. 



ACT III 



ACT III 
Time: A month later: dawn 
Scene I 
Naaman's tent, on high ground among the mountains near 
Samaria: the city below. In the distance, a wide and 
splendid landscape. Saballidin and soldiers on guard 
below the tent. Enter Ruahmah in huntefs dress, with 
a lyre slung from her shoulder. 

Ruahmah: 

Peace and good health to you, Saballidin. 

Good morrow to you all. How fares my lord? 

Saballidin : 

The curtains of his tent are folded still: 

They have not moved since we returned, last night, 

And told him what befell us in the city. 

Ruahmah: 

Told him ! Why did you make report to him 

And not to me ? Am I not captain here. 

Intrusted by the King's command with care 

Of Naaman's life, until he is restored ? 
67 



68 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act hi. Sc. i. 

'Tis mine to know the first of good or ill 

In this adventure : mine to shield his heart 

From every arrow of adversity. 

What have you told him? Speak! 

Saballidin : 

Lady, we feared 

To bring our news to you. For when the king 

Of Israel had read our monarch's letter, 

He rent his clothes, and cried, " Am I a god, 

To kill and make alive, that I should heal 

A leper ? Ye have come with false pretence, 

Damascus seeks a quarrel with me. Go!" 

But when we told our lord, he closed his tent, 

And there remains enfolded in his grief. 

I trust he sleeps; 't were kind to let him sleep! 

For now he doth forget his misery, 

And all the burden of his hopeless woe 

Is lifted from him by the gentle hand 



Act III. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 69 

Of slumber. Oh, to those bereft of hope 

Sleep is the only blessing left, — the last 

Asylum of the weary, the one sign 

Of pity from impenetrable heaven. 

Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God! 

Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be 

Full long for him to suffer, and for us 

To turn our disappointed faces home 

On the long road by which we must return. 

Ruahmah: 

Return! Who gave you that command? Not I! 

The King made me the leader of this quest, 

And bound you all to follow me, because 

He knew I never would return without 

The thing for which he sent us. I'll go on 

Day after day, unto the uttermost parts 

Of earth, if need be, and beyond the gates 

Of morning, till I find that which I seek, — 



70 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act iii. Sc. i. 

New life for Naaman. Are ye ashamed 

To have a woman lead you ? Then go back 

And tell the King, " This huntress went too far 

For us to follow : she pursues the trail 

Of hope alone, refusing to forsake 

The quarry: we grew weary of the chase; 

And so we left her and retraced our steps, 

Like faithless hounds, to sleep beside the fire." 

Did Naaman forsake his soldiers thus 

When you went forth to hunt the Assyrian Bull ? 

Your manly courage is less durable 

Than woman's love, it seems. Go, if you will, — 

Who bids me now farewell ? 

Soldiers : 

Not I, not I! 

Saballidin : 

Lady, lead on, we'll follow you for ever! 

Ruahmah: 

Why, now you speak like men ! Brought you no word 



Act III. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 71 

Out of Samaria, except that cry 

Of impotence and fear from Israel's king ? 

Saballidin: 

I do remember while he spoke with us 

A rustic messenger came in, and cried 

" Elisha saith, let Naaman come to me 

At Dothan, he shall surely know there is 

A God in Israel." 

Ruahmah: 

What said the King? 

Saballidin: 

He only shouted "Go!" more wildly yet, 

And rent his clothes again, as if he were 

Half-maddened by a coward's fear, and thought 

Only of how he might be rid of us. 

What comfort could there be for him, what hope 

For us, in the rude prophet's misty word ? 

Ruahmah: 

It is the very word for which I prayed! 



72 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act iii. Sc. i. 

My trust was not in princes; for the crown, 

The sceptre, and the purple robe are not 

Significant of vital power. The man 

Who saves his brother-men is he who lives 

His life with Nature, takes deep hold on truth, 

And trusts in God. A prophet's word is more 

Than all the kings on earth can speak. How far 

Is Dothan? 

Soldier : 

Lady, 'tis but three hours' ride 

Along the valley northward. 

Ruahmah: 

Near! so near? 

I had not thought to end my task so soon! 

Prepare yourselves with speed to take the road. 

I will awake my lord. 

[Exeunt all hut Saballidin and Ruahmah. 
She goes toward the tent.] 

Saballidin : 

Ruahmah, stay ! [She turns hack] 



Act III. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 73 

I've been your servant in this doubtful quest, 
Obedient, faithful, loyal to your will,— 
What have I earned by this ? 

Ruahmah: 

The gratitude 

Of him we both desire to serve : your friend, — 
My master and my lord. 

Saballidin: 

No more than this ? 

Ruahmah: 

Yes, if you will, take all the thanks my hands 

Can hold, my lips can speak. 

Saballidin: 

I would have more. 

Ruahmah: 

My friend, there's nothing more to give to you. 

My service to my lord is absolute. 

There's not a drop of blood within my veins 

But quickens at the very thought of him; 

And not a dream of mine but he doth stand 



74 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act iii. Sc. i. 

Within its heart and make it bright. No man 

To me is other than his friend or foe. 

You are his friend, and I beUeve you true! 

Saballidin: 

I have been true to him, — now, I am true 

To you. 

Ruahmah: 

And therefore doubly true to him! 

O let us match our loyalties, and strive 

Between us who shall win the higher crown! 

Men boast them of a friendship stronger far 

Than love of woman. Prove it! I'll not boast, 

But I'll contend with you on equal terms 

In this brave race: and if you win the prize 

I'll hold you next to him: and if I win 

He'll hold you next to me; and either way 

We'll not be far apart. Do you accept 

My challenge ? 



Act III. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 75 

Saballidin: 

Yes! For you enforce my heart 

By honour to resign its great desire, 

And love itself to offer sacrifice 

Of all disloyal dreams on its own altar. 

Yet love remains; therefore I pray you, think 

How surely you must lose in our contention. 

For I am known to Naaman : but you 

He blindly takes for Tsarpi. 'Tis to her 

He gives his gratitude : the praise you win 

Endears her name. 

Ruahmah: 

Her name ? Why, what is that ? 

A name is but an empty shell, a mask 

That does not change the features of the face 

Beneath it. Can a name rejoice, or weep, 

Or hope ? Can it be moved by tenderness 

To daily services of love, or feel the warmth 

Of dear companionship ? How many things 



76 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act iii. Sc. i. 

We call by names that have no meaning: kings 

That cannot rule; and gods that are not good; 

And wives that do not love ! It matters not 

What syllables he utters when he calls, 

'Tis I who come, — 'tis I who minister 

Unto my lord, and mine the living heart 

That feels the comfort of his confidence, 

The thrill of gladness when he speaks to me, — 

I do not hear the name! 

Saballidin : 

And yet, be sure 

There's danger in this error, — and no gain! 

Ruahmah: 

I seek no gain: I only tread the path 

Marked for me daily by the hand of love. 

And if his blindness spared my lord one pang 

Of sorrow in his black, forsaken hour, — 

And if this error makes his burdened heart 

More quiet, and his shadowed way less dark, 



Act III. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 77 

Whom do I rob ? Not her who chose to stay 
At ease in Rimmon's House ! Surely not him ! 
Only myself I And that enriches me. 
Why trouble we the master ? Let it go, — 
To-morrow he must know the truth, — and then 
He shall dispose of me e'en as he will! 

Saballidin: 

To-morrow ? 

Ruahmah: 

Yes, for I will tarry here, 

While you conduct him to EUsha's house 

To find the promised heaHng. I forebode 

A sudden danger from the craven king 

Of Israel, or else a secret ambush 

From those who hate us in Damascus. Go, 

But leave me twenty men: this mountain-pass 

Protects the road behind you. Make my lord 

Obey the prophet's word, whatever he commands, 

And come again in peace. Farewell! 



78 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Actiii. Sc. i. 

[Exit Saballidin. Ruahmah goes toward the 
tent J then pauses and turns hack. She takes 
her lyre and sings.] 

Song. 

Above the edge of dark appear the lances of the sun; 
Along the mountain-ridges clear his rosy heralds run; 

The vapours down the valley go 

Like broken armies, dark and low. 

Look up, my heart, from every hill 

In folds of rose and daffodil 

The sunrise banners flow. 

O fly away on silent wing, ye boding owls of night! 
O welcome little birds that sing the coming-in of light! 

For new, and new, and ever-new, 

The golden bud within the blue ; 

And every morning seems to say: 

" There^s something happy on the way, 

"And God sends love to you!'' 



Act III. Sc.l.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 79 

Naaman : [A ppearing at the entrance of his tent.] 
O let me ever wake to music ! For the soul 

Returns most gently then, and finds its way 

By the soft, winding clue of melody, 

Out of the dusky labyrinth of sleep, 

Into the light. My body feels the sun 

Though I behold naught that his rays reveal. 

Come, thou who art my daydawn and my sight, 

Sweet eyes, come close, and make the sunrise mine! 

Ruahmah: [Coming near.] 

A fairer day, dear lord, was never bom 

In Paradise! The sapphire cup of heaven 

Is filled with golden wine: the earth, adorned 

With jewel-drops of dew, unveils her face 

A joyful bride, in welcome to her king. 

And look! He leaps upon the Eastern hills 

All ruddy fire, and claims her with a kiss. 

Yonder the snowy peaks of Hermon float 



8o THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act hi. Sc i. 

Unmoving as a wind-dropt cloud. The gulf 
Of Jordan, filled with violet haze, conceals 
The river's winding trail with wreaths of mist. 
Below us, marble-crowned Samaria thrones 
Upon her emerald hill amid the Vale 
Of Barley, while the plains to northward change 
Their colour like the shimmering necks of doves. 
The lark springs up, with morning on her wings, 
To climb her singing stairway in the blue. 
And all the fields are sprinkled with her joy! 

Naaman: 

Thy voice is magical: thy words are visions! 

I must content myself with them, for now 

My only hope is lost: Samaria's king 

Rejects our monarch's message, — hast thou heard? 

"Am I a god that I should cure a leper?" 

He sends me home unhealed, with angry words, 

Back to Damascus and the lingering death. 



Act III. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 8i 

Ruahmah: 

What matter where he sends ? No god is he 

To slay or make alive. Elisha bids 

You come to him at Dothan, there to learn 

There is a God in Israel. 

Naaman: 

I fear 

That I am grown mistrustful of all gods; 

Their secret counsels are implacable. 

Ruahmah: 

Fear not! There's One who rules in righteousness 

High over all. 

Naaman : 

What knowest thou of Him? 

Ruahmah: 

Oh, I have heard, — the maid of Israel, — 

Rememberest thou ? She often said her God 

Was merciful and kind, and slow to wrath, 

And plenteous in forgiveness, pitying us 

Like as a father pitieth his children. 



82 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act iii. Sc. l. 

Naaman: 

If there were such a God, I'd worship Him 

For ever! 

Ruahmah: 

Then make haste to hear the word 

His prophet promises to speak to thee! 

Obey it, my dear lord, and thou shalt lose 

This curse that burdens thee. This tiny spot 

Of white that mars the beauty of thy brow 

Shall melt like snow; thine eyes be filled with light. 

Thou wilt not need my leading any more, — 

Nor me, — ^for thou wilt see me, all unveiled, — 

I tremble at the thought. 

Naaman : 

Why, what is this ? 

Why shouldst thou tremble? Art thou not mine 

own? 

Ruahmah: [Turning to him.] 

Surely I am! But take me, take me now! 

For I belong to thee in body and soul; 



Act III. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 83 

The very pulses of my heart are thine. 

Wilt thou not feel how tenderly they beat? 

Wilt thou not lie like myrrh between my breasts 

And satisfy thy lonely lips with love ? 

Thou art opprest, and I would comfort thee 

W^hile yet thy sorrow weighs upon thy life. 

To-morrow ? No, to-day ! The crown of love 

Is sacrifice; I have not given thee 

Enough! Ah, fold me in thine arms, — take all! 

[She takes his hands and puts them aroutid 
her neck; he holds her from him, with one 
hand on her shoulder^ the other behind her 
head.] 

Naaman: 

Thou art too dear to injure with a kiss, — 

Too dear for me to stain thy purity, 

Or leave one touch upon thee to regret! 

How should I take a gift may bankrupt thee, 

Or drain the fragrant chalice of thy love 



84 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIii. sc.i. 

With lips that may be fatal ? Tempt me not 
To sweet dishonour; strengthen me to wait 
Until thy prophecy is all fulfilled, 
And I can claim thee with a joyful heart. 

Ruahmah: [Turning away.] 

Thou wilt not need me then, — and I shall be 

No more than the faint echo of a song 

Heard half asleep. We shall go back to where 

We stood before this journey. 

Naaman: 

Never again! 

For thou art changed by some deep miracle. 

The flower of womanhood hath bloomed in thee, — 

Art thou not changed ? 

Ruahmah: 

Yea, I am changed, — and changed 

Again, — bewildered, — till there's nothing clear 

To me but this: I am the instrument 

In an Almighty hand to rescue thee 



Act III. Sc. II.], THE HOUSE OF RIMMON S5 

From death. This will I do,— and afterward — 

[A trumpet is blown, without.] 
Hearken, the trumpet sounds, the chariot waits. 
Away, dear lord, follow the road to light! 

Scene II * 

The house of Elisha, upon a terraced hillside. A low stone 
cottage with vine-trellises and flowers ; a flight of steps ^ 
at the foot of which is Naaman's chariot. He is stand- 
ing in it; Saballidin beside it. Two soldiers come 
down the steps. 

First Soldier: 

We have delivered my lord's greeting and his 

message. 

Second Soldier: 

Yes, and near lost our noses in the doing of it! 

For the servant slammed the door in our faces. 

A most unmannerly reception! 

* Note that this scene is not intended to be put upon the stage, 
the effect of the action upon the drama being given at the begin- 
ning of Act IV. 



86 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act hi. Sc ii. 

First Soldier: 

But I take that as a good omen. It is mark of holy 

men to keep ill-conditioned servants. Look, the 

door opens, the prophet is coming. 

Second Soldier: 

No, by my head, it's that notable mark of his 

master's holiness, that same lantern-jawed lout 

of a servant. 

[Gehazi loiters down the steps and comes to 
Naaman with a slight obeisance.] 

Gehazi: 

My master, the prophet of Israel, sends word to 

Naaman the Syrian, — are you he ? — " Go wash in 

Jordan seven times and be healed." 

[Gehazi turns and goes slowly up the steps.] 

Naaman : 

What insolence is this ? Am I a man 

To be put off with surly messengers ? 

Has not Damascus rivers more renowned 



Act III. Sc.ii.l THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 87 

Than this rude, torrent Jordan? Crystal streams, 

Abana! Pharpar! flowing smoothly through 

A paradise of roses? Might I not 

Have bathed in them and been restored at ease? 

Come up, Saballidin, and guide me home! 

Saballidin : 

Bethink thee, master, shall we lose our quest 

Because a servant is uncouth ? The road 

That seeks the mountain leads us through the vale. 

The prophet's word is friendly after all; 

For had it been some mighty task he set. 

Thou wouldst perform it. How much rather then 

This easy one ? Hast thou not promised her 

Who waits for thy return ? Wilt thou go back 

To her unhealed ? 

Naaman: 

No! not for all my pride! 

I'll make myself most humble for her sake, 

And stoop to anything that gives me hope 



88 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIII. Scii. 

Of having her. Make haste, Saballidin, 
Bring me to Jordan. I will cast myself 
Into that river's turbulent embrace 
A hundred times, until I save my life 
Or lose it! 

[Exeunt. The light fades: musical interlude. 
The light increases again with ruddy sunset 
shining on the the door of Elisha's house. 
The prophet appears and looks off, shading his 
eyes luith his hand as he descends the steps 
slowly. Trumpet blows, — Naaman's call; — 
sound of horses galloping and men shouting. 
Naaman enters joyously, followed &>> Saballi- 
din and soldiers, with gifts.] 

Naaman: 

Behold a man delivered from the grave 

By thee! I rose from Jordan's waves restored 

To youth and vigour, as the eagle mounts 

Upon the sunbeam and renews his strength! 

O mighty prophet deign to take from me 



Act III. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 89 

These gifts too poor to speak my gratitude; 

Silver and gold and jewels, damask robes, — 

Elisha : [Interrupting.] 

As thy soul liveth I will not receive 

A gift from thee, my son ! Give all to Him 

Whose mercy hath redeemed thee from thy plague. 

Naaman: 

He is the only God ! I worship Him ! 

Grant me a portion of the blessed soil 

Of this most favoured land where I have found 

His mercy; in Damascus will I build 

An altar to His name, and praise Him there 

Morning and night. There is no other God 

In all the world. 

Elisha: 

Thou needest not 

This load of earth to build a shrine for Him; 

Yet take it if thou wilt. But be assured 

God's altar is in every loyal heart, 



90 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [Act hi. Sc. ii. 

And every flame of love that kindles there 

Ascends to Him and brightens with His praise. 

There is no other God! But evil Powers 

Make war against Him in the darkened worid; 

And many temples have been built to them. 

Naaman : 

I know them well ! Yet when my master goes 

To worship in the House of Rimmon, I 

Must enter with him ; for he trusts me, leans 

Upon my hand; and when he bows himself 

I cannot help but make obeisance too, — 

But not to Rimmon! To my country's king 

I'll bow in love and honour. Will the Lord 

Pardon thy servant in this thing ? 

Elisha: 

My son, 

Peace has been granted thee. 'Tis thine to find 

The only way to keep it. Go in peace. 



ACT III. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 91 

Naaman: 

Thou hast not answered me, — may I bow down? 

Elisha : 

The answer must be thine. The heart that knows 

The perfect peace of gratitude and love, 

Walks in the light and needs no other rule. 

Take counsel with thy heart and go in peace! 

CURTAIN. 



ACT IV 



ACT IV 

Scene I 
The interior d/NAAMAN's tent, at night. Ruahmah donej 
sleeping on the ground. A vision appears to her through 
the curtains of the tent : Elisha standing on the hillside 
at Dothan: Naaman, restored to sight, comes in and 
kneels before him. Elisha blesses him, and he goes out 
rejoicing. The vision of the prophet turns to Ruahmah 
and lifts his hand in warning. 

Elisha: 

Daughter of Israel, what dost thou here? 

Thy prayer is granted. Naaman is healed: 

Mar not true service with a selfish thought. 

Nothing remains for thee to do, except 

Give thanks, and go whither the Lord commands. 

Obey, — obey! Ere Naaman returns 

Thou must depart to thine own house in Shechem. 

[The vision vanishes.] 

Ruahmah: [Waking and rising slowly.] 

A dream, a dream, a messenger of God! 
95 



96 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc.i. 

O dear and dreadful vision, art thou true ? 
Then am I glad with all my broken heart. 
Nothing remains, — nothing remains but this, — 
Give thanks, obey, depart, — and so I do. 
Farewell, my master's sword! Farewell to you, 
My amulet! I lay you on the hilt 
His hand shall clasp again: bid him farewell 
For me, since I must look upon his face 
No more for ever!— Hark, what sound was that? 
[Enter soldier hurriedly.] 

Soldier: 

Mistress, an arm^d troop, footmen and horse, 

Mounting the hill! 

Ruahmah: 

My lord returns in triumph. 

Soldier: 

Not so, for these are enemies; they march 

In haste and silence, answering not our cries. 

Ruahmah: 

Our enemies ? Then hold your ground, — on guard! 



Act IV. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 97 

Fight! fight! Defend the pass, and drive them 

down. 

[Exit soldier. Ruahmah draws Naaman^s 
sword from the scabbard and hurries out of 
the tent. Confused noise of fighting outside. 
Three or four soldiers are driven in by a 
troop of men in disguise. Ruahmah follows : 
she is beaten to her knees, and her sword is 
broken.] 

Rezon: [Throwing aside the cloth which covers his 
face.] 
Hold her! So, tiger-maid, we've found your lair 

And trapped you. Where is Naaman, 

Your master? 

Ruahmah: [Rising, her arms held by two of REZOt^^s fol- 
lowers.] 

He is far beyond your reach. 

Rezon: 

Brave captain! He has saved himself, the leper, 

And left you here ? 

Ruahmah: 

The leper is no more. 



98 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. sc.i. 

Rezon: 

What mean you ? 

Ruahmah: 

He has gone to meet his God. 

Rezon: 

Dead? Dead? Behold hov/ Rimmon's wrath is 

swift! 

Damascus shall be mine: I'll terrify 

The King with this, and 'make my terms. But no! 

False maid, you sweet-faced harlot, you have lied 

To save him, — speak. 

Ruahmah: 

I am not what you say, 

Nor have I lied, nor will I ever speak 

A word to you, vile servant of a traitor-god. 

Rezon: 

Break off this little flute of blasphemy, 

This ivory neck, — twist it, I say! 

Give her a swift despatch after her leper! 

But stay, — if he still lives he'll follow her, 



Act IV. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 99 

And so we may ensnare him. Harm her not! 
Bind her! Away with her to Rimmon's House! 
Is all this carrion dead ? There's one that moves, — 
A spear, — fasten him down ! All quiet now ? 
Then back to our Damascus! Rimmon's face 
Shall be made bright with sacrifice. 

[Exeunt, forcing Ruahmah with them. Musical 
interlude, A wounded soldier crawls from a 
dark corner of the tent and finds the chain 
with Naaman's seal, which has fallen to the 
ground in the struggle.] 

Wounded Soldier : 

This signet of my lord, her amulet! 

Lost, lost! Ah, noble lady, — let me die 

With this upon my breast. 

[The tent is dark. Enter Naaman and his com- 
pany in haste, with torches.] 

Naaman: 

What bloody work 

Is here ? God, let me live to punish him 



100 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc.i. 

Who wrought this horror! Treacherously slain 

At night, by unknown hands, my brave companions: 

Tsarpi, my best beloved, light of my soul, 

Put out in darkness! O my broken lamp 

Of life, where art thou ? Nay, I cannot find her. 

Wounded Soldier : [Raising himself on his arm.] 
Master! 

Naaman : [Kneels beside him.] 

One living? Quick, a torch this way! 

Lift up his head, — so, — carefully! 

Courage, my friend, your captain is beside you. 

Call back your soul and make report to him. 

Wounded Soldier: 

Hail, captain! O my captain, — here! 

Naaman: 

Be patient, — rest in peace, — the fight is done. 

Nothing remains but render your account. 

Wounded Soldier: 

They fell upon us suddenly, — we fought 

Our fiercest, — every man, — our lady fought 



Act IV. Sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON loi 

Fiercer than all. They beat us down,— she's gone. 
Rezon has carried her away a captive. See, — 
Her amulet, — I die for you, my captain. 

Naaman: [He gently lays the dead soldier on the ground^ 
and rises.] 
Farewell. This last report was brave; but strange 

Beyond my thought! How came the High Priest 

here? 

And what is this? my chain, my seal! But this 

Has never been in Tsarpi's hand. I gave 

This signet to a captive maid one night, — 

A maid of Israel. How long ago? 

Ruahmah was her name, — almost forgotten! 

So long ago, — how comes this token here? 

What is this mystery, Saballidin ? 

Saballidin: 

Ruahmah is her name who brought you hither. 

Naaman : 

Where then is Tsarpi ? 



102 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc.i. 

Saballidin: 

In Damascus. 

She left you when the curse of Rimmon fell, — 

Took refuge in his House, — and there she waits 

Her lord's return, — Rezon's return. 

Naaman: 

'Tis false! 

Saballidin: 

The falsehood is in her. She hath been friend 

With Rezon in his priestly plot to win 

Assyria's favour, — friend to his design 

To sell his country to enrich his temple, — 

And friend to him in more, — I will not name it. 

Naaman : 

Nor will I credit it. Impossible! 

Saballidin : 

Did she not plead with you against the war, 

Counsel surrender, seek to break your will ? 

Naaman : 

She did not love my work, a soldier's task. 



Act IV. sc. I.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 103 

She never seemed to be at one with me 
Until I was a leper. 

Saballidin: 

From whose hand 

Did you receive the sacred cup ? 

Naaman: 

From hers. 

Saballidin: 

And from that hour the curse began to work. 

Naaman : 

But did she not have pity when she saw 

Me smitten ? Did she not beseech the King 

For letters and a guard to make this journey ? 

Has she not been the fountain of my hope, 

My comforter and my most faithful guide 

In this adventure of the dark ? All this 

Is proof of perfect love that would have shared 

A leper's doom rather than give me up. 

Can I doubt her who dared to love like this ? 



I04 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActW. Sc.i. 

Saballidin: 

O master, doubt her not, — but know her name; 

Ruahmah! It was she alone who wrought 

This wondrous work of love. She won the King 

By the strong pleading of resistless hope 

To furnish forth this company. She led 

Our march, kept us in heart, fought off despair, 

Offered herseff to you as to her god, 

Watched over you as if you were her child. 

Prepared your food, your cup, with her own hands, 

Sang you asleep at night, awake at dawn, — 

Naaman: [Interrupting.] 

Enough! I do remember every hour 

Of that sweet comradeship ! And now her voice 

Wakens the echoes in my lonely breast; 

The perfume of her presence fills my sense 

With longing. All my soul cries out in vain 

For her embracing, satisfying love, 



Act IV. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 105 

That I may rest in her and be at peace. 
Shall I not see her, thank her, speak her name ? 
Ruahmah ! Let me live till I have looked 
Into her eyes and called her my Ruahmah! 

[To his soldiers.] 
Away! away! I bum to take the road 
That leads me back to Rimmon's House, — 
But not to bow, — by God, never to bow! 

Time: Three days later 

Scene II 

Inner court of the House of Rimmon; a temple with huge 
pillars at each side. In the right foreground the seat of 
the King; at the left, of equal height, the seat of the High 
Priest. In the background a broad flight of steps, rising 
to a curtain of cloudy gray, embroidered with two gigantic 
hands holding thunderbolts. The temple is in half dark- 
ness at first. Enter Khamma and Nubta, robed as 
Kharimati, or religious dancers, in gowns of black gauze 
with yellow embroideries and mantles. 

Khamma: 

All is ready for the rites of worship; our lady will 



io6 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc.n. 

play a great part in them. She has put on her 
Tyrian robes, and all her ornaments. 

NUBTA : 

That is a sure sign of a religious purpose. She 

is most devout, our lady Tsarpi! 

Khamma: 

A favourite of Rimmon, too! The High Priest 

has assured her of it. He is a great man, — ^next 

to the King, now that Naaman is gone. 

Nubta: 

But if Naaman should come back, healed of the 

leprosy ? 

Khamma: 

How can he come back? The Hebrew slave that 

went away with him, when they caught her, said 

that he was dead. The High Priest has shut 

her up in the prison of the temple, accusing her of 

her master's death. 

Nubta: 

Yet I think he does not believe it, for I heard him 



Act IV. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 107 

telling our mistress what to do if Naaman should 
return. 

Khamma: 

What, then? 

Nubta: 

She will claim him as her husband. Was she not 

wedded to him before the god ? That is a sacred 

bond. Only the High Priest can loose it. She 

will keep her hold on Naaman for the sake of the 

House of Rimmon. A wife knows her husband's 

secrets, she can tell 

[Enter Shumakim, with his flagon^ walking 
unsteadily.] 

Khamma: 

Hush! here comes the fool Shumakim. He is 

never sober. 

Shumakim: [Laughing.] 

Are there two of you ? I see two, but that is no 

proof. I think there is only one, but beautiful 



io8 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc ii. 

enough for two. What were you talking to your- 
self about, fairest one! 

Khamma: 

About the lady Tsarpi, fool, and what she would 

do if her husband returned. 

Shumakim: 

Fie! fie! That is no talk for an innocent fool 

to hear. Has she a husband ? 

Nubta: 

You know very well that she is the wife of Lord 

Naaman. 

Shumakim: 

I remember that she used to wear his name and his 

jewels. But I thought he had exchanged her, — 

for a leprosy. 

Khamma: 

You must have heard that he went away to Sa- 
maria to look for healing. Some say that he 
died on the journey; but others say he has been 
cured, and is on his way home to his wife. 



Act IV. sc.n.i THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 109 

Shumakim: 

It may be, for this is a mad world, and men never 

know when they are well off, — except us fools. 
But he must come soon if he would find his wife 
as he parted from her, — or the city where he left 
it. The Assyrians have returned with a greater 
army, and this time they will make an end of us. 
There is no Naaman now, and the Bull will de- 
vour Damascus like a bunch of leeks, flowers 
and all, — flowers and all, my double-budded 
fair one! Are you not afraid? 

Nubta: 

We belong to the House of Rimmon. He will pro- 
tect us. 

Shumakim : 

What? The mighty one who hides behind the 

curtain there, and tells his secrets to Rezon? 

No doubt he will take care of you, and of himself. 

Whatever game is played, the gods never lose. 



no THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc.n. 

But for the protection of the common people and 

the rest of us fools, I would rather have Naaman 

at the head of an army than all the sacred images 

between here and Babylon. 

Khamma: 

You are a wicked old man. You mock the god. 

He will punish you. 

Shumakim: [Bitterly.] 

How can he punish me? Has he not already 

made me a fool ? Hark, here comes my brother 

the High Priest, and my brother the King. Rim- 

mon made us all; but nobody knows who made 

Rimmon, except the High Priest; and he will 

never tell. 

[Gongs and cymbals sound. Enter Rezon with 
priests, and the King with courtiers. They 
take their seats. A throng of Khali and 
Kharimati come in, Tsarpi presiding; a 
sacred dance is performed with torches, burn- 
ing incense, and chanting, in which Tsarpi 
leads.] 



Act IV. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON iii 

Chant. 
Hail, mighty Rimmon, ruler of the whirl-storm^ 
Hail, shaker of mountains, breaker-down of forests, 
Hail, thou who roarest terribly in the darkness. 
Hail, thou whose arrows flame across the heavens 1 
Hail, great destroyer, lord of flood and tempest. 
In thine anger almighty, in thy wrath eternal. 
Thou who delightest in ruin, maker of desolations, 
Immeru, Addu, Barku, Rimmon/ 
See we tremble before thee, low we bow at thine altar, 
Have mercy upon us, be favourable unto us. 
Save us from our enemy, accept our sacrifice, 
Barku, Immeru, Addu, Rimmon 1 

[Silence follows, all bowing down.] 

Rezon: 

O King, last night the counsel from above 

Was given in answer to our divination. 

Ambassadors must go forthwith to crave 



112 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON (ActIV. Sc. ii. 

Assyria's pardon, and a second offer 
Of the same terms of peace we did reject 
Not long ago. 

Benhadad: 

Dishonour! Yet I see 

No other way! Assyria will refuse, 

Or make still harder terms. Disaster, shame 

For this gray head, and ruin for Damascus! 

Rezon: 

Yet may we trust Rimmon will favour us, 

If we adhere devoutly to his worship. 

He will incline his brother-god, the Bull, 

To spare us, if we supplicate him now 

With costly gifts. Therefore I have prepared 

A sacrifice: Rimmon shall be well pleased 

With the red blood that bathes his knees to-night! 

Benhadad: 

My mind is dark with doubt, — I do forebode 

Some horror! Let me go, — I am an old man, — 



Act IV. sc. II.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 113 

If Naaman my captain were alive! 
But he is dead, — the glory is departed! 

[He rises ^ trembling, to leave the throne. Trumpet 
sounds y — Naaman's call; — enter l^iAAUAi^, fol- 
lowed by soldiers; he kneels at the foot of the 
throne.] 

Benhadad : [Half -whispering.] 

Art thou a ghost escaped from AUatu ? 

How didst thou pass the seven doors of death ? 

O noble ghost I am afraid of thee, 

And yet I love thee, — let me hear thy voice! 

Naaman: 

No ghost, my King, but one who lives to serve 

Thee and Damascus with his heart and sword 

As in the former days. The only God 

Has healed my leprosy: my life is clean 

To offer to my country and my King. 

Benhadad : [Starting toward him.] 

O welcome to thy King! Thrice welcome! 



114 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActW. Sc. ii. 

Rezon: [Leaving his seat and coming toward Naaman.] 

Stay! 

The leper must appear before the priest, 

The only one who can pronounce him clean. 

[Naaman /wm^; they stand looking each other in 
the face.] 

Yea, — thou art cleansed: Rimmon hath pardoned 

thee, — 
In answer to the daily prayers of her 
Whom he restores to thine embrace, — thy wife. 
[TsARPi comes slowly toward Naaman.] 

Naaman: 

From him who rules this House will I receive 

Nothing! I seek no pardon from his priest, 

No wife of mine among his votaries! 

TsARPi: [Holding out her hands.] 

Am I not yours ? Will you renounce our vows ? 

Naaman: 

The vows were empty, — never made you mine 

In aught but name. A wife is one who shares 



AcTiv. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 115 

Her husband's thought, incorporates his heart 

With hers by love, and crowns him with her trust. 

She is God's remedy for loneliness, 

And God's reward for all the toil of life. 

This you have never been to me, — and so 

I give you back again to Rimmon's House 

Where you belong. Claim what you will of mine, — 

Not me! I do renounce you, — or release you, — 

According to the law. If you demand 

A further cause than what I have declared, 

I will unfold it fully to the King. 

Rezon: [Interposing hurriedly.] 

No need of that! This duteous lady yields 

To your caprice as she has ever done: 

She stands a monument of loyalty 

And woman's meekness. 

Naaman: 

Let her stand for that! 



ii6 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc il 

Adorn your temple with her piety! 

But you in turn restore to me the treasure 

You stole at midnight from my tent. 

Rezon: 

What treasure? I have stolen none from you. 

Naaman: 

The very jewel of my soul, — Ruahmah! 

My King, the captive maid of Israel, 

To whom thou didst commit my broken life 

With letters to Samaria, — my Hght, 

My guide, my saviour in this pilgrimage, — 

Dost thou remember? 

Benhadad: 

I recall the maid, — 

But dimly, — for my mind is old and weary. 

She was a fearless maid, I trusted her 

And gave thee to her charge. Where is she now? 

Naaman: 

This robber fell upon my camp by night, — 



Act IV. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 117 

While I was with Elisha at the Jordan,— 
Slaughtered my soldiers, carried off the maid, 
And holds her somewhere in imprisonment. 

give this jewel back to me, my King, 
And I will serve thee with a grateful heart 
For ever. I will fight for thee, and lead 
Thine armies on to glorious victory 
Over all foes! Thou shalt no longer fear 
The host of Asshur, for thy throne shall stand 
Encompassed with a wall of dauntless hearts, 
And founded on a mighty people's love. 
And guarded by the God of righteousness. 

Benhadad: 

1 feel the flame of courage at thy breath 

Leap up among the ashes of despair. 
Thou hast returned to save us! Thou shalt have 
The maid; and thou shalt lead my host again! 
Priest, I command you give her back to him. 



ii8 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc. ii. 

Rezon: 

master, I obey thy word as thou 

Hast ever been obedient to the voice 
Of Rimmon. Let thy fiery captain wait 
Until the sacrifice has been performed, 
And he shall have the jewel that he claims. 
Must we not first placate the city's god 
With due allegiance, keep the ancient faith, 
And pay our homage to the Lord of Wrath ? 

Benhadad: [Sinking hack upon his throne in fear. \ 

1 am the faithful son of Rimmon's House, — 

And lo, these many years I worship him! 

My thoughts are troubled, — I am very old. 

But still a King! O Naaman, be patient! 

Priest, let the sacrifice be offered. 

[The High Priest lifts his rod. Gongs and 
cymbals sound. The curtain is rolled back, 
disclosing the image of Rimmon; a gigantic 
and hideous idol, with a cruel human face, four 



Act IV. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 119 

horns, the mane of a lion, and huge paws 
stretched in front of him enclosing a low altar 
of Hack stone. Ruahmah stands on the altar, 
chained, her arms are hare and folded on her 
breast. The people prostrate thetnselves in 
silence, with signs of astonishment and horror.] 

Rezon: 

Behold the sacrifice ! Bow down, bow down ! 

Naaman: [Stabbing him.] 

Bow thou, black priest! Down, — down to hell! 

Ruahmah! do not die! I come to thee. 

[Naaman rushes toward her, attacked by the 
priests, crying ^^ Sacrilege! Kill hiffiT' But 
the soldiers stand on the steps and beat them 
back. He springs upon the altar and clasps 
her by the hand. Tumult and confusion. 
The King rises and speaks with a loud voice, 
silence follows.] 

Benhadad: 

Peace, peace! The King commands all weapons 

down! 

O Naaman, what wouldst thou do ? Beware 

Lest thou provoke the anger of a god. 



I20 THE HOUSE OF RIMMON [ActIV. Sc. ii. 

Naaman: 

There is no God but one, the Merciful, 

Who gave this perfect woman to my soul 

That I might learn through her to worship Him, 

And know the meaning of immortal Love. 

Whom God hath joined together, all the Powers 

Of hate and falsehood never shall divide. 

Benhadad: [Agitated. 

Yet she is consecrated, bound, and doomed 

To sacrificial death; but thou art sworn 

To live and lead my host, — Hast thou not sworn? 

Naaman : 

Only if thou wilt keep thy word to me ! 

Break with this idol of iniquity 

Whose shadow makes a darkness in the land; 

Give her to me who gave me back to thee; 

And I will lead thine army to renown 

And plant thy banners on the hill of triumph. 

But if she dies, I die with her, defying Rimmon. 



Act IV. Sell.] THE HOUSE OF RIMMON 121 

[Cries of "Spare them! Release her! Give us 
hack our Captain!'^ and "Sacrilege! Let 
them die!^^ Then silence, all turning toward 
the King.] 

Benhadad: 

Is this the choice? Must we destroy the bond 

Of ancient faith, or slay the city's living hope ! 

I am an old, old man, — and yet the King! 

Must I decide? — O let me ponder it! 

[His head sinlis upon his breast. All stand 
eagerly looking at him.] 

Naaman: [Holding her in his arms.] 

Ruahmah, my Ruahmah! I have come 

To thee at last ! And art thou satisfied ? 

Ruahmah: [Looking into his face.] 
Beloved, my beloved, I am glad 

Forever! Come what may, the only God 

Is Love, — and He will never part us. 

FINIS. 



OCl 2 1903 



